Hello, friends overseas. I'm a netizen from China. At the beginning of 2025, terms like "North American cut-off line" and "North American Coward" spread in online environments such as Douyin and Kuaishou in China. Some people on the Internet claim that some of you dare not resist the exploitation of those in power. You only dare to point your guns at those below you, but not at those in power. I don't know how much we know about each other under the information cocoon.
But I want to tell my brothers on the other side of the ocean that if anyone bullies you, just fight back boldly! It's more effective to raise your fists than to stage demonstrations!
Fists are not meant for you to use against weak places like schools or hospitals. Whoever oppresses you, you will punch him!
I bring you the story of Huang Chao, the most passionate scholar in China's several thousand years of feudal history.
He was born in the prosperous Tang Dynasty when all countries came to pay homage.
That was the best era. Emperors such as the Great Sage of Literature and Military, the Great Sage of Heaven, the Great Sage of the Supreme Way, and the Great Sage of Ming emerged one after another, pushing the Tang Dynasty to an unprecedentedly prosperous height.
That was the worst of times. The former Tang Dynasty had long been eroded by corrupt officials. Eunuchs, nobles, warlords, and ambitious people were all oppressing ordinary people.
Huang Chao was originally an outcast and had been submissive all his life. At the age of fifty-five, he finally realized that the way out of life was not bestowed by those in power, but was carved out by himself.
He made his way all the way to Chang 'an and came up with that well-known truth in China: "It's much easier to break into Chang 'an than to pass the imperial examination."
He drove the emperor and eunuchs out of Chang 'an. Even the most powerful general in the entire Chang 'an, the Grand General of the Jin Wu Wei, had no choice but to surrender upon seeing him. He also killed all the nobles in China. Leading his troops, he killed people in Chang 'an according to the family tree for three whole days. During those three days, he couldn't sleep and his sword wasn't sheathed. Three days later, there were no more five surnames and seven families on the land of China. From then on, the nobility completely withdrew from the Chinese stage, and from then on, everyone was equal.
He is the last resort for Chinese people in desperate situations. I'll tell you his story. I hope his story can be of help to my brothers who are far away across the ocean.
接下来是正文部分.
The following is the main text.
Huang Lang had imagined countless times what the prosperous Tang Dynasty's Chang 'an would look like. It was not until that day when he stepped into the city and saw with his own eyes the grand scene of the Zhang Mansion in front of the Twelve Gates and the golden shops bathed in the glow of the sun that he realized - those who had never seen Chang 'an could never imagine its shape.
That luxury, that brilliance, he had only seen it in his life.
One of the shop assistants had sharp eyes. Seeing that Huang Lang was dusty and tired, it was obvious that he was a distant traveler. At this time of year, he went to the capital again, so he guessed that this was another candidate going to the capital to take the imperial examination.
The so-called imperial examination system refers to a talent selection system established by the Sui Emperor of the previous dynasty, which selected officials through examinations. The imperial examination system, in theory, only valued academic performance, thus providing a visible and tangible path to officialdom and a way to reach the heavens for all the poor families in the world.
The waiter observed that Huang Lang's demeanor was extraordinary and his attire was splendid. It seemed that he must be generous with his spending
"Sir, are you a scholar who went to the capital for the imperial examination?" Why not come to My Crossing the River Tower and taste this Kyoto cuisine? My restaurant has a plaque inscribed by Emperor Taizong himself back then. Here, you can not only savor the delicious food of Chang 'an but also admire the emperor's charisma. How delightful!"
"Crossing the River Tower?" But it is taken from the words of Emperor Taizong: 'All the heroes of the world come to me like fish crossing a river 彀中? Looking at the large characters on the golden plaque, Huang Lang regretted that he had not been born a few years earlier to witness with his own eyes the imposing figure of the Heavenly Strategy General - the Holy Lord of Zhenguan - Emperor Taizong Wen - the Great Sage of Literature and Martial, Emperor Daguangxiao.
Emperor Taizong was the one who proposed that the people are like water and the ruler is like a boat, and that the people are more important than the ruler.
The allusion of "the fish crossing the river" originated from the day when the imperial examination results were announced. Emperor Taizong climbed to a high place and looked into the distance. Seeing the newly promoted jinshi coming out one after another and marching in formation, he was greatly delighted and thus came the beautiful saying that all the heroes in the world were included in the list.
While guiding Huang Lang, the waiter said, "Exactly!" We are born in a good time. As long as you are willing to endure hardships and study hard, no matter whether you are the son of a scholar, farmer, artisan or merchant, you all have the opportunity to enter the imperial court and serve as an official to bring benefits to the people. I saw that the gentleman had an extraordinary expression and an imposing air, as if the stars from the heavens had descended to earth. He was certain to be among the Three Dukes in the future.
Although Huang Lang knew that the waiter's words were suspected of flattery, he was delighted and generously gave the tip.
Finally, the waiter led Huang Lang to a seat by the window on the second floor and said, "This season is very busy. We only have this one seat left." "
Huang Lang actually thought this place was quite nice. The traffic and hustle and bustle on the street could all come into view.
While the two were chatting, another guest came. Seeing that there was still some space at the table where Huang Lang was sitting, he came over to share a table.
The visitor clasped his fists and said, "My surname is Wang. As I am the eldest in my family, I am named Wang Laoda." This trip to the capital is for the purpose of passing the imperial examination and bringing honor to the family.
Huang Lang returned the greeting and said, "I am Huang Lang, a wronged scholar from Caozhou. I have also come to the capital to take the imperial examination."
Wang Laoda said in a forthright, "We students have studied hard for ten years, all for the sake of one day transforming into a dragon, ranking among the Three Duals, and taking charge of Jinwu. This time we go to the capital, we must pass the imperial examinations and achieve success!"
Huang Lang smiled and said, "I don't have such great aspirations as Brother Wang. My family has been displaced for generations. I just want a minor official position of the lowest rank, so that my parents won't have to worry anymore and the common people in this corner can have a full meal."
Before Huang Lang could finish speaking, a man at the next table jumped up from his seat and said, "Brother Huang, your words are wrong!"
The man had a high nose and wide ears, was handsome and had an air of good fortune. He was dressed in a brocade robe and wore a jade crown. What a refined and elegant gentleman!
In the Li family of Xiachang Valley, Priest Li. Seeing your extraordinary manners, as if you were stars descending from the heavens, I intended to make friends with you.
However, I don't agree with what Brother Huang said just now! The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility! A true man, born between heaven and earth, should take the safety and security of the world as his own responsibility! Establish the heart of heaven and earth! Speak up for the people! Carry on the lost learning of the sages of the past! "Bring peace for all time!" "
"I think Brother Huang is very handsome and has an extraordinary appearance!" Why doesn't Brother Huang think about how to benefit all the people in the world? "An can be the one who stays in a corner and compromises for peace!" "
That's all for today's story. To find out what happens next, please stay tuned for the next episode.